Owners Are Your Rentals Ready for Cold Weather?

Tips to help you keep your property in good condition. If you need help with maintenance issues, Silverline will be happy to assist.

Safety First

Change smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries.
If you don’t have carbon monoxide detectors, consider installing them as manufacturer directs as a low-cost way to prevent potential tragedy. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas generated by oil or gas-burning appliances.
Contact a licensed heating contractor to inspect and service your gas heater or furnace to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Your utility company might provide this service for free.
Have your wood-burning fireplace inspected, cleaned and repaired to prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Save Money by Improving Efficiency

Clean or replace filters in your furnace or heating system.
Check caulking for gaps and leaks around windows and doors, including the garage door.
Replace your screens with storm windows.
If you use a hot water system for heating, drain the expansion tank, check the water pressure, and bleed your radiators.

Prevent Damage

Clean leaves from gutters and downspouts and unblock drainage areas to prevent water damage.
Have your roof inspected for wear and tear and check flashing around pipes, chimneys, and skylights. Leaks or gaps will let in water from melting snow and ice.
Turn off valves to the exterior hose bibs, and drain the pipes to prevent freezing and bursting pipes. Consider wrapping water pipes near exterior walls with heating tape.
Cover attic vents and dryer vents with screening to prevent little critters from using the home as a warm place to nest.
Rake leaves to protect grass and tidy flower beds, adding mulch if necessary to protect perennial plants until next spring.
Trim dead tree branches to prevent winter storm damage from falling limbs.